Photo by buildersports.com
MHS - Men's Basketball / March 1, 2023 By Kasey McDowell
Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, former Mulvane basketball standout, Trey Abasolo, and the Southwestern College Moundbuilders basketball team won the KCAC Tournament Championship, punching their ticket to the 2023 NAIA National Championship.
Ranked as high as No. 4 in the country this season, the Moundbuilders had slipped to No. 22 prior their championship run through the KCAC Tournament. Finished tied for 3rd in KCAC league standings, Southwestern received the 4 seed, matching them up with Bethany College in the first round.
Hosting the first round game, the Moundbuilders dispatched of the Swedes 84-78, after fighting back from a 15 point deficit. Abasolo played 24 minutes in the contest, had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists. Ark City’s, Cevin Clark, had a game high 44 points.
The victory set the table for a second round road matchup with the KCAC No.1 overall seed and nationally ranked No.7 team in the country, Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles. The Moundbuilders had an offensive explosion jumping out to an early 8 point lead behind the hot shooting of Clark, who finished with 33 points. Abasolo played 22 minutes, dropped in 20 points, 7 rebounds, and went 8-10 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the 98-73 victory.
The KCAC Tournament Championship game is held in Wichita, Ks at Hartman Arena. The No. 4 seed, Moundbuilders defeated the No.3 seed Bethel College Threshers, 83-74. The win earns SC an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Abasolo had 2 points, in 22 minutes with 6 rebounds in the championship game.
The Moundbuilders now wait for the NAIA Selection Show on Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m., when they will learn where they will be going for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round starting on March 7.
